Cupra hasn’t ruled out bringing a more affordable, shorter-range version of the Born electric hatchback to Australia.
At launch, the Born will only be offered with a 77kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery pack good for more than 500km of range on the WLTP test cycle in Australia. European buyers are also offered 45kWh or 58kWh options, with less range and a lower starting price.
Cupra Australia head of product and planning, Jeff Shafer, said the local team is working to get the 58kWh option Down Under, although it won’t follow close behind the 77kWh car coming in March 2023.
“I think range is one of the most critical things for EVs in this period,” Mr Shafer said. “Having said that, the 58kWh battery is definitely something we are in discussions with [the factory about].
“It won’t be in the short term, but I can see it filling a role down the road.”
Cupra Australia brand director Ben Wilks confirmed “for now” the Born will be Long Range-only, although “there’s scope in the future” to expand the line-up.
The 77kWh model is priced at $59,990 before on-road costs in Australia, in line with the Nissan Leaf e+ ($61,490).
In the UK, opting for the 58kWh battery slashes the equivalent of $10,000 from the sticker price.
There are differences in specifications between the two markets, so it’s not a perfect comparison, but a shorter-range model would no doubt allow the Born to further undercut the Leaf, along with best-selling Tesla Model 3.
Cupra Tavascan 
Cupra UrbanRebel 
The Born is the first car built on the Volkswagen Group’s latest MEB electric architecture to make it Down Under.
It’ll be followed by a range of commercial and passenger-oriented Volkswagen ID products, the Skoda Enyaq, the Audi Q4 e-tron and, eventually, the Cupra Tavascan and UrbanRebel.
MORE: Everything Cupra Born
